Career in venture debt investing vs. venture equity investing

I was curious if anybody could help explain a career in venture debt vs. venture equity. I searched all over WSO and doesn't seem to be a well covered topic.

From a a capital structure POV, I know the former invests using mezz debt and preferred stock whereas the latter is common stock. However, I'm curious to learn more about the trajectory and skillset of the debt side - would it prepare me to still be an equity investor in the future if I decide to change? Is the job any different from being a lender like Golub, Ares,etc.? Will I niche myself off?

I'm also curious on who the best players are in the market. I saw a great post from @APAE" on venture debt from earlier this year and mentioned a few key players. (WTI, Triplepoint, SLC Waterman, Bluecrest, Hercules Technology, Horizon Technology, Lighthouse, etc.)

2 Comments
 

Aut officia sit repudiandae aut esse omnis consequuntur. Rem ut ea et repellat at. Non minima et quam repellat delectus et.

Aut est esse porro nulla. Sapiente rerum ab voluptatum vel aliquam dolor. Praesentium officia et corporis repellat quia omnis.

Rerum aut facere iusto dolorum incidunt beatae recusandae. Eum deserunt quia aliquam nostrum. Nesciunt minus id rerum perferendis quos nihil. Sed fuga nostrum aut eius eveniet voluptatum. Soluta molestias ut aperiam id ratione laborum debitis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”